Tennis-racket frame



Aug. 3 9

W. C. RASTETTEF Timms HACHE? FRAME Filed Sept. 24, 1924 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM o. IzAszrnr'rEn, oF ron'r WAYNE, INDIANA.

TENNIS-RACKET FRAME.

Application led September 24, 1924. Serial No. 739,547.

\ ThisJ invention relates to improvements in tennis racket. frames, and the object vthereof is to aiiord a racket frame of such structure as to withstand extreme strains to which racket frames are subjected, especially at the juncture of the loop of the frame and the handle with which .it .is connected. I Y

This object is accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a structure embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a section of F ig. 1 on the line 2 2 thereof.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention comprises an oval frame 1 formed-of a wooden strip 1, preferably made upof lamin 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and an outer lamina 7 of vulcanized ber or similar material. The strip, however, may be of a single piece of wood. The ends of the strip are united with a heart 8 interposed therebetween at the juncture of -the loop formed by the strip and the handle 9.

Extendin over the top of the heart and upon the a jacent inner faces of the strip is superimposed a shoe 10 preferably made up of wooden or other fibrous" laminas.

An especial feature of the invention consists of a longitudinally tapering wedge 11 made up of wooden lamin 12the o'rain of the several laminas extending relatlvely in different directions. This wedge is introduced into the frame structure midway between its front and back faces 13 and 14 in a kerf made in the frame for its reception, the front and back of the frame being spread apart to accommodate the wedge. In this manner an increasing thickness commencing in the lower portion of .fimloop and extending into the handle. is established in the frame with correspondingly increased strength. The

.wedgev extends laterally through the corresponding sides of the strip and also through the heart and the shoe, with all ofwhich it is securely joined by means of glue. The structure thus set forth affords a frame of great rigidity and strength, especially at the juncture of the loop and handle Where the strains occasioned by usage are greatest.

1. A tennis racket frame structure including a loop` and contiguous handle and an interposed heart at the juncture of the loop and handle; a superimposed shoe extending over the top of the heart and the inner faces of the loop adjacent thereto; and a longitudinally tapering wedge interposed in the frame midway between its front and back and extending from a point in the lower part of the loop into the handle and throuoh the shoe and heart. j

2. tennis racket frame structure including a loop and contiguous handle and a heart interposed at the juncture of the loop and handle; and a longitudinally tapering reinforcement interposedA in the frame at the juncture of the loop and handle and extending through the heart in a plane midway between the front and back of the frame.

3. In a tennis racket frame structure including a loop and contiguous handle formed of a bent strip of wood and a heart interposed between the end portions of the strip at the juncture of the loop and handle, there being a kerf made in the frame midway between its front and back in a plane parallel therewith and extending through the juncture and partway Into the loop; and a longitudinally tapering 4wedge fixed permanent- ,ly in the kerf and spreading the adjacent front and back portions of the frame outwardly from their normal planes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa! ture.

WILLIAM o. aAsrrErrER. 

